Project on a whim

I was at the shop this morning finishing up some alder columns that ship out to Ventura, Ca. on Monday and on a whim a project came to mind. I messed up one of the columns while I was making them (got the diameter to small). So I had to remake it since I needed four to go to California. I started thinking about what I could do with this chunk of alder. I figure I might as well use it for something since I have it, right? The post on the far left is the one I’ll be using. I’ll have...

It took about 15 mins to get the post on the lathe and get the pattern set and things set just right. So how its ready to let the chips fly and they do fly. I turn the lathe up full speed and go at it.
The orginal post is 6 1/4” in dia. I decided to go ahead and use its diameter for the new turning. So the new turning will be 6 1/4 dia. to 2 1/2” dia. at its smallest point and its 33 1/4” long. Total turning time with the duplicator to rough it out 10 mins.
I ...

Ok, turnings is done and now the post has been mounted on the Legacy and set up to do the reeding on the top portion of the post. Stops have been set up for the reeding and the proper bit has been installed in the router.
I’ll be using a bit with a bearing to do the reeding, its a 3/16 radious. It also has a five inch long shank which allows it to reach the center of the turning.
The Legacy has been set up to make 28 cuts for the reeding. The top portion of the post where the ...

The flats are now cut and I’m ready to mill the dovetails for the legs. First I’ll mill a slot with a 3/4” straight bit, this will make it easier to do the dovetailing. I made the cut in three pass’s for depth so it wouldn’t be hogging out to much at a time. This takes about five minutes.
After the relief slots are cut I changed the set up slightly for the dovetails, the dovetail bit is installed and the process is repeated to make the dovetails. The dove...